Stitch cutting implement



June 14, 1955 c. E. ANDREWS 2,710,448

STITCH CUTTING IMPLEMENT Filed June 17, 1952 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS 2,710,448 Patented June 14, 1955 STITCH CUTTING IMPLEMENTClarence Earl Andrews, Lakewood, N. Y.

Application June 17, 1952, Serial No. 293,912

Claims. (Cl. 30-162) This invention relates to an implement for openingthe closure seam or stitching of a feed bag which embodies a stitchingthat can readily be unraveled or opened by taking hold of the ends ofthe two interlocked threads and pulling them apart. To do this it isnecessary to expose the opposite threads to grasp and this is usuallydone by severing one of the threads adjacent the end of the stitching toenable the opening up of a stitch and the grasping of the two threads atthe opposite sides of the bag for such separating pull in oppositedirections.

The present invention has for its object to provide an implement thatwill facilitate the cutting of the stitching at one side of the mouth ofthe bag and the opening of the stitching to the grasp whereby toexpedite the pulling out of the stitching and the opening of the bag offeed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an implement of thischaracter which is practical and of simple construction and one whereina knife element is normally concealed and protected from causing bodilyinjury.

The foregoing and other objects will manifest themselves as thisdescription progresses, reference is made herein to the accompanyingdrawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the implement in its normallyinoperative position;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the implementshowing the knife element projected;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the cutting end of the implement; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views showing the application and use ofthe implement in the process of removing the bag stitching.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates thetubular housing or case having a tapered end or nose 2 providing a point3 for introduction beneath the thread 4 of a stitch at one side of themouth of the bag 5. This tapered end of the implement is provided with alongitudinal slot 6 through which the cutting edge 7 of a blade element8 is projectable by means of a stem 9 fixed to the blade element. Thestem is guided in a bearing 10 fixed within the chamber 11 of thecase 1. A thumb piece 12 is fixed to the inner end of the stem 9 andextends radially through a slot 13 in the case to expose the thumb piecewhich serves as an actuator for the cutting edge under the action of thethumb when the implement is grasped in the hand. Normally the bladeelement 8 is retracted within the case, as by a coil spring 14 whichbears at one end upon the bearing 10, as an abutment, and has itsopposite ends secured to the knife stem 9 as by means of a collar 15suitably fixed to the stem through a pin 16.

Preferably the nose of the element is tapered on its upper side in whichthe slot 6 is located so that the bottom wall 17 of the nose willconstitute a continuation of the casing wall to form a continuousbearing support for the cutting element 8.

In use, the nose of the implement is introduced beneath one of thestitches of the thread 4 to pry it up and thereafter, by means of thethumb piece 12, the blade element is projected through the slot 6 tosever the thread. Next the thumb pressure is then released from thecutting element for retraction onto the latter by the spring 14 andthereafter the nose of the implement is introduced beneath the nextadjacent stitch to pull the severed end from its interlocked relationwith the thread at the opposite side of the bag. This exposes thesevered end 4 at the implement side of the bag for grasp by one hand andalso loosens the companion thread at the opposite side for grasp by theother hand. The two threads are then pulled apart and disengaged topermit the bag to be opened.

The implement is of simple construction and possesses a factor of safetyso that when not in use it may be readily inserted in a pocket orcarried in a manner similar to a pencil. The cutting edge is concealedand protected when not in use and is quickly projected for a threadcutting operation.

The foregoing description has been given in detail without thought oflimitation since the inventive principles involved are capable ofassuming other physical embodiments without departing from the Spirit ofthe invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A stitch cutting element comprising a tubular case having a chamberand a tapered thread prying and supporting nose formed with a slotextending from the outer surface of the nose and through its taperedsurface into the chamber, a blade element normally concealed within thecase and projectable through the nose slot to sever a thread supportedon the tapered surface thereof, and an actuator operatively connected tothe blade element for projecting the blade element through the slot.

2. A stitch cutting element comprising a chambered case having a taperednose for prying beneath and supporting a thread thereon, such nose beingformed with a longitudinal slot that extends from the outer surface ofthe nose through to the chamber, and a blade element within the casechamber projectable through the nose slot to sever a thread supportedthereby, and spring means yieldably holding the blade element retractedwithin the case chamber.

3. A stitch cutting element comprising a hollow case having a chamberand a tapered nose for prying beneath and supporting a thread thereonand formed with a slot through the nose extending lengthwise thereof andinto the case chamber, and a cutting element arranged within the caseand projectable through the nose slot to sever a thread supportedthereover, and spring means normally holding the cutting elementretracted within the case chamber, said case having an actuator partexposed through a second slot in the case for the projection of thecutting element.

4. A stitch cutting implement comprising a case having a tapered nosefor prying beneath a stitch forming thread, said case having a chamberand a slot extending therefrom and opening lengthwise of and through thetapered surface of the prying nose, a cutting blade slidable within theslot and retractable therefrom back to a concealed position within thechamber, said blade having a supporting stem slidably mounted within thecase, and means connected to the stern for projecting the blade throughthe slot.

5. A stitch cutting implement comprising a case having a tapered nosefor prying beneath a stitch forming thread, said case having a chamberand a slot extending therefrom and opening lengthwise of and through thetapered surface of the prying nose, a cutting blade slidable within theslot and retractable therefrom back to a concealed position within thechamber, said blade having 3 a supporting stem slidably mounted withinthe case, means connected to the stern for projecting the blade throughthe slot, said blade having a cutting edge inclined in the generaldirection of the tapered surface of the nose, and spring means normallyacting on the stem to yieldably hold the blade in its retractedposition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTSConverse July 11, 1865 Di Stefano Feb. 12, 1929 Royston Jan. 1, 1935Brati'ud Oct. 4, 1949

